What's the colour of my 2002 156 called?

[Bellbird]

Davidm - Don't be so sad about having to polish the Beemer.  Didn't you know that a woman's place is in the SPAM and not in the garage!

Peter - Oh well, not so bad.  At least it revs things up for your club. 

[Bellbird]

Lovely day out with the Canberra and Southern Highlands "Alfisti".  Thank you everyone!

Lucky to make it!  Refused to drive the car yesterday so it stayed clean - jumped into it this morning and as dead as a door nail!  Got it going and then lucky I didn't have a head on in Sydney (me going the wrong way on a one way street and realising it too late).  Was almost resigned to having to take the 'daily' to the Sunday Drive - the daily being a Hyundai Getz!

[colcol]

Sounds like the battery is on the way out, when they are reaching the end of their life, you get all sorts of niggling electrical problems, due to the various electrical components not getting enough volts, just make sure your battery terminals are clean, before you buy a new battery AND, you have the code for your radio, as when you disconect the battery, you have to put a code back into your radio, because it thinks it has been stolen, Colin.

[Bellbird]

Thanks for this Colin.  Yes it does seem the battery is on the way out so this may be why I am having the tail light issue.  One of the very experienced and knowledgeable Canberra Chapters had a look at the battery today and thought it could have been the original.

[Craig_m67]

Okay then.

Dim taillight that won't go out on one side is known symptom for a bad/dry solder joint on an series of three ICs in the circuit that detects if a bulb has blown.  This circuit is on/in the tacho. Simplest fix is to just replace the tacho, unless your mechanic has exceptional skill with soldering small electronics (highly unlikely).

This issue causes the battery to continually drain, which will eventually leave you stranded.

The Tach is your problem. It's well known and documented on the net.
Until you get it sorted you will just go through batteries again and again and again (pattern here)

Removing the bulb from the RH brake lamp until you get a replacement will stop it going flat, although obviously causes road safety, user, legal issues etc.

You can read about it Here from 2006.  Or here with a link to IC supplier if you have a handy electronics person. It's the IC packages (square black spiders) on this board that fail




It's a well known issue, with a simple fix (replace the tacho). I think its 3 philips head screws to get it out?

[Bellbird]

OK Craig, I believe you!   Will get onto it right away re the tacho!  Bit worried about doing it myself (even though it does look easy with diagram and photos etc).  Do I get the mechanic or auto electrician to do it?  Where are you - if you're close you could do it! (think of it as good practice)  I'm in NSW near Sydney.

[colcol]

Hey Bellbird, just find an Alfa Romeo specialist and get them to fix it, as they have most likely done the job before, and are not practising on your car, if you go to an Auto Electrician, find one who knows Alfa's, ask a few N.S.W. Alfa club members, as in another subject, my brother's 147 had the battery fail on him..... after 11 years, Colin.

[Bellbird]

Going to see Tim at Zoo Autocraft in the Southern Highlands thanks to "The Canberra Chapter" and "Southern Highlands Alfisti"!  He's getting the part second hand which is fine by me.  Gives me an excuse for another drive!

[Bellbird]

Think I am going to have to join AROCA!    

Doesn't look good with all these comments I am posting and not being a member!

[AlfaACT]

Think I am going to have to join AROCA!    

Yes!
Good call Bellbird.
        

[Gotta B Red]

Hi Bellbird,
Not sure if the paint colour or name issue has been resolved but in case it hasn't these links might help but they may confuse the issue further.
It seems that having a name is helpful or a code perhaps more so, the tricky part is some codes are identical but the name is different.
I can't explain that little twist, but have a look and it may be some help.
Another problem it seems is many or most colours have Italian names (understandable) but occasionally Alfa Romeo themselves anglicise the name or choose an english name completely, sometimes hybrids of Italian and other languages. It's also common for paint people in various countries to translate the Italian or hybrid name into their domicilliary language, this adds another layer of confusion as many Italian words don't quite translate precisely into english or I dare say other languages as well.
 
http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/colour_codes_alfa_romeo.htm

http://www.touchuppaints.com.au/Alfa_Touch_Up_Paint-289.htm

Cheers,
Andy

[colcol]

I have had my 156 for 4 years, read the Forum regulary, and didn't know about the rev counter shorting out flattening the battery, if it was me i would have just replaced the battery, not even thinking about the rev counter, you people out there with all your knowledge rock!, according to my workshop manual for the 33, in Australia we call rev counter a tacho, in Italy they call a tacho a rev counter, in Australia we call a dial for showing what speed you are doing a Speedo, in Italy, its called a tacho!, just be carefull when reading Italian wiring diagrams, Colin.

[Bellbird]

That's why I am going to get Mr Tim at Zoo to do all the work!  Don't speak very much Italian!  Not even going to ATTEMPT changing tacho's myself!   

Too much invested in the car to stuff it up!

(Have found the colour changer!  Gee, I'm a bit slow when it comes to colours!!!)

[Bellbird]

Don't think I'll use pink again - very hard to read!!!!

[colcol]

Have purchased, at great expense from Alfa Romeo dealers and touch up paint specialists, touch up kits with bottle and brush, but not a good match, went to Repco, looked at their touch up paint charts, and purchased a Mitsubishi color, and it matched perfect, could also try a panel beating supply paint shop, and get them to mix the paint to suit your car, get min amount, about 500 mls of Acrylic Lacquer, and buy a touch up bottle, as the car gets older and the paintwork fades, the touch up kits are of a slightly different color, Colin.